Rent the Rat Race Obstacle Course in DFW Texas
Two competitors enter from opposite ends of a 58-foot figure-eight course — weaving through pop-up obstacles, scrambling under log jams, climbing walls, racing tire runs, and crossing paths in the center before fighting for the 24-foot slide finish. That's the Rat Race Giant Obstacle Course. It's not a rental that guests watch. It's one they stand in line for. Browse our full lineup of obstacle course rentals in DFW to see what else we carry — but if your event needs a true head-to-head competitor experience, this is the one.
The figure-eight layout is what makes this course different from a standard straight obstacle course. Two racers launch from opposite entry points, cross paths at the center, and sprint for the same finish line. It creates a natural showdown that changes every run depending on who gets ahead at the crossing. School field days, corporate picnics, church carnival days, and teen birthday parties all book this course specifically because of that head-to-head format. We deliver and set up the Rat Race across Fort Worth obstacle course events, Burleson obstacle course rentals, and Mansfield obstacle course rentals — along with 50+ other cities across the metroplex.
The course arrives in five connected sections, assembled by our crew at your location. Every section is state-inspected annually by the Texas Department of Insurance, constructed from lead-free fire-retardant vinyl, and cleaned between every rental. Setup requires six separate 110v electrical outlets on six separate 12-amp circuits — which sounds like a lot, but every blower in the five-piece configuration needs its own power. Call us at (817) 800-8618 before booking if your venue has limited breakers and we'll talk through options.
Rat Race Obstacle Course — Specs and Rental Details
SETUP AREA
26'W x 32'H x 60'L
ACTUAL SIZE
24'W x 30'H x 58'L
AGE GROUP
Ages 5 to Adult
ELECTRICAL
6 Outlets — 12 Amp Each
SUPERVISION
1 Adult Supervisor Required
CONFIGURATION
5 Pieces — Figure-Eight Layout
FEATURES
Pop-up obstacles, tire race, log jams, crawl-throughs, rock climbing walls, figure-8 maze, 24-ft slide finish
➤ Displayed price is for up to 8 hours
➤ Extra Hours: +7% per hour
➤ Overnight: +$75
➤ 2nd Day: 50% off
Why the Rat Race Is the Most Competitive Obstacle Course Rental in DFW
The Figure-Eight Creates Real Competition
Most obstacle courses run one direction. The Rat Race runs two at once. Competitors enter from opposite ends, navigate the same obstacles, cross paths in the center, and chase each other to the finish. Every single run is a different race depending on who pulls ahead at the crossing point.
58 Feet of Course — Including a 24-Foot Slide Finish
Competitors earn that finish line. Pop-up obstacles, tire runs, log jams, crawl-throughs, and rock climbing walls all stand between the start and the 24-foot slide that ends the course. Winning isn't handed to anyone — you have to work for it across the full 58 feet.
Kids 5 and Up, Teens, and Adults All Find Their Match
The Rat Race doesn't sort itself by age — it sorts by who wants it more. A 9-year-old who runs it four times will have legs. A 35-year-old who thinks they'll coast through will find out otherwise. That's why it books for everything from birthday parties to corporate field days.
Lines Stay Long — Throughput Stays High
Two competitors race simultaneously, so the course turns over fast. At a school field day or community event with 200 guests, the dual-entry format keeps lines moving instead of backing up. Back-to-back races run continuously across your full 8-hour rental.
Five-Piece Setup — Professional Crew Handles It All
The Rat Race arrives in five connected sections. Our crew delivers, assembles, stakes, and tests every section before we leave. At the end of your event, we come back and break it all down. You don't touch a single strap or blower plug.
State-Inspected, Lead-Free, Cleaned Between Every Rental
Texas inspects every inflatable in our fleet annually — obstacle courses included. Every section of the Rat Race is constructed from lead-free fire-retardant vinyl and sanitized between rentals. Our safety standards are not optional checkboxes — they're how we've operated since 2002.
How the Rat Race Figure-Eight Obstacle Course Works
1
Two Competitors Enter From Opposite Ends
Competitors launch simultaneously from opposite entry points. Neither runner has a head-start advantage. The race begins the moment both are moving.
2
Navigate the Obstacles — All of Them
Pop-up obstacles, tire races, log jams, crawl-throughs, and rock climbing walls stand between the entry and the center cross. Skip one and your opponent won't.
3
Cross Paths at the Center of the Figure-Eight
The course crosses itself at the center. Competitors pass each other heading in opposite directions — which is the moment the crowd loses their minds. You know exactly where your opponent is from here.
4
Hit the 24-Foot Slide and Win
The course ends with a 24-foot slide — the reward for outlasting the obstacles. First one down the slide wins. Then the next pair steps up. You have 8 hours of this.
The Rat Race Giant Obstacle Course — 58-foot figure-eight layout with dual entry points and 24-foot slide finish
Inside view — pop-up obstacles and crawl-through sections
Inside view — climbing wall section and log jam obstacles
Setup Requirements and How to Book the Rat Race Obstacle Course
Space and Access Requirements
The Rat Race needs 60 feet of length and 26 feet of width on flat ground — clear of low-hanging trees, power lines, and overhead obstructions. A clear path wide enough for our crew to carry the five sections to the setup location is required. Grass is ideal. The course can also be set up on concrete or asphalt with sandbags. Call ahead if your site has steep grades or unusual terrain.
Electrical Requirements — Six Separate Circuits
The Rat Race requires six separate 110v outlets on six separate 12-amp breaker circuits within 100 feet of the setup location. Each of the five blower motors needs its own dedicated outlet. This is the most critical pre-booking check for this course. Venues with limited breaker panels should call us at (817) 800-8618 before booking — we will confirm compatibility or discuss generator options.
How to Book Online
Click "Add to Cart" on the product page. Enter your event date, delivery address, and setup location details. Pay a deposit to lock in your date. You will receive an automatic email confirmation. Our crew handles delivery, full assembly of all five sections, and pickup. Need help choosing between courses? Call (817) 800-8618 — we know our inventory and will steer you to the right one.
Safety Features and State Compliance
Every section of the Rat Race is inspected annually by the Texas Department of Insurance. The course is anchored with stakes on grass and sandbags on hard surfaces. One adult supervisor is required at all times — positioned where they can observe both entry points and the center crossing. Read our full safety standards before your event.
Best Events for the Rat Race Giant Obstacle Course Rental
School Field Days
The figure-eight format was built for field days. Two students race simultaneously, the course cycles fast, and 200 kids can rotate through across the day without the line growing unmanageable. We handle vendor approval for schools and provide all required COI documentation.
Teen Birthday Parties
Teenagers who won't touch a bounce house will race this thing four times in a row and then argue about the results. The Rat Race produces the kind of bragging rights that make a birthday party worth remembering. Best for outdoor backyard events with enough space for the 60-foot footprint.
Corporate Team-Building Events
Nothing exposes the competitive gap between the marketing team and accounting quite like a head-to-head obstacle course race. The Rat Race is one of our most-booked pieces for corporate event rentals precisely because adults who wouldn't admit they care end up running it twice.
Church Festivals and Harvest Events
The dual-entry design is ideal for high-attendance church events where crowd management matters. Two racers go at a time, the course turns over quickly, and every age group from elementary to adult finds their race. Pairs well with carnival games for a full festival setup.
Graduation Parties
High school and college graduation parties from May through June love this course. Graduates and their friends race until somebody pulls a hamstring — which happens, and they're still smiling about it. Pairs well with a water slide for a full outdoor graduation setup.
College and Greek Life Events
Campus event planners rent the Rat Race for intramural competitions, organization field days, and college event entertainment that runs all day without losing crowd energy. The head-to-head format keeps onlookers engaged even when they're not racing.
Community Festivals and HOA Events
At 24 feet tall and 58 feet long, the Rat Race is visible across any community park or HOA greenspace. It draws a crowd by existing. Block parties and neighborhood events that want one centerpiece attraction that works for every age make this their anchor rental.
VBS and Youth Group Events
Vacation Bible School programs and youth group summer events that need activity rotation can build an entire session around the Rat Race. Split groups into pairs, run brackets, and keep kids moving for hours. The 8-hour rental gives you the full program window.
Complete Your Event with These Popular Additions
Pair the Rat Race with a giant water slide for a full outdoor event that covers both dry competition and wet cooling down.
Add a bounce house for younger kids who aren't ready for 58 feet of obstacle course yet.
Shade and seating for spectators watching the races. Essential at any Texas outdoor event.
Bundle the Rat Race with other rentals and save with our packaged pricing options.
More Obstacle Course Rentals in DFW Texas
Looking for a different layout or size? Browse our complete obstacle course rental lineup in DFW Texas.
Our Party-First Cancellation and Weather Philosophy
Weather Happens
Texas weather doesn't negotiate. When weather forces a cancellation, your deposit rolls forward to a rescheduled date — no penalties, no lost money, no argument about it.
Empathy Over Logistics
Chanda McFarland runs this company as a parent and neighbor, not a faceless rental corporation. If something goes wrong with your rental, we make it right — not after a policy review, right now.
The Magic Standard
We treat every setup like it's for our own kids. That standard has earned us over 1,200 five-star Google reviews from DFW families, churches, schools, and businesses across more than two decades.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rat Race Giant Obstacle Course
How does the figure-eight layout work — do competitors actually cross paths?
Yes — that's the whole point. Two competitors enter from opposite ends and navigate toward the center of the figure-eight, where the course crosses itself. They pass each other heading in opposite directions, then continue to the finish at the 24-foot slide. Every race has a visible moment where both competitors know exactly where the other one stands. It's the feature that draws a crowd of watchers even when they're not racing.
What's the difference between the Rat Race and the other obstacle courses in the fleet?
The Rat Race is the only figure-eight course in the fleet — two competitors enter simultaneously from opposite ends and cross at the center. The Boot Camp, X Factor, and Football Training Camp courses all run one direction with racers going side by side. If the centerpiece of your event is head-to-head competition where neither runner knows who will pull ahead until the crossing, the Rat Race is your course. If you need more linear footage or a themed design, the other courses may fit better.
How many electrical outlets does the Rat Race actually need?
Six separate 110v outlets on six separate 12-amp breaker circuits. The course arrives in five connected sections, each with its own blower motor. Every motor needs a dedicated circuit — you cannot run two blowers from the same breaker. This is the make-or-break logistics question for venues and backyards. Call us at (817) 800-8618 before booking and we will check your setup. Generator options are available for venues with limited power.
What ages can run the Rat Race obstacle course?
Ages 5 to adult. The course is designed so younger kids, teens, and adults all find their challenge — but the obstacles require the coordination and endurance to complete the full figure-eight layout. Kids under 5 should not attempt the course. For events with mixed age groups, pair the Rat Race with a bounce house or smaller inflatable so younger guests have appropriate entertainment. See our event day guide for supervision tips.
Can the Rat Race be set up on concrete or asphalt?
Yes. The Rat Race sets up on grass (staked), concrete, or asphalt (sandbags). Grass is ideal for anchoring and participant comfort at the slide exit. Hard surfaces work fine — just confirm 60 feet of flat, level clearance with no overhead obstructions. School parking lots, church parking areas, and concrete pads all work with sandbag anchoring.
Where does Inflatable Party Magic deliver the Rat Race obstacle course?
We deliver and set up the Rat Race Giant Obstacle Course throughout the entire DFW metroplex — Tarrant County, Johnson County, Ellis County, Dallas County, Parker County, Hood County, and beyond. Cities include Fort Worth, Arlington, Burleson, Mansfield, Grand Prairie, Cleburne, Midlothian, Waxahachie, Granbury, Weatherford, Aledo, Southlake, Keller, and 40+ more. View our full delivery area or call (817) 800-8618.
Rat Race Obstacle Course Delivery Across DFW Texas
Professional delivery, full five-section setup, and takedown of the Rat Race Giant Obstacle Course is included in the rental price across all DFW cities listed below.
Tarrant County
Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Kennedale, Benbrook, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Bedford, North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Watauga, Haslet, Trophy Club, Colleyville, Crowley, Everman, Forest Hill, River Oaks, and Azle.
Johnson County
Burleson, Cleburne, Joshua, Alvarado, Grandview, Venus, Godley, Keene, Cresson, and Rio Vista.
Ellis and Dallas County
Midlothian, Waxahachie, Red Oak, Cedar Hill, Dallas, Grand Prairie, Coppell, Flower Mound, Maypearl, and Covington.
Parker, Hood, and Somervell County
Weatherford, Aledo, Willow Park, Granbury, Glen Rose, Tolar, Lipan, and Acton.
Hill and Bosque County
Hillsboro, Itasca, Blum, Whitney, Kopperl, and Morgan.
Extended Delivery
Waco, Briar Oaks, Rendon, Lillian, and additional DFW communities. Call (817) 800-8618 to confirm delivery availability for your location.
Book the Rat Race Obstacle Course for Your DFW Event
The Rat Race fills up fast for school field days, graduation parties, and summer events. Reserve your date before it's gone.
Call (817) 800-8618
8-Hour Rentals
•
Professional Setup
•
State-Inspected
•
Fully Insured
•
Family-Owned Since 2002
